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The water supplied for the ordinary needs of the municipality of Es Mercadal comes from groundwater abstractions from the Sa Roca (1902M1) groundwater body. Piezometers show a downward trend since 2012.

According to data provided by the Water Resources Department and published by OBSAM, the s’Albaida aquifer had an average level of 41 metres above sea level in 2011. In 2025, the recorded level is 30 metres. These figures mean that the aquifer has lost 25% of its capacity in just 15 years.

Over the last decade, of the 13 monitoring points installed, 5 show a stable trend and 8 show a declining or sharply declining trend. None shows signs of recovery.

Current public water abstraction (water supplied plus network losses), divided by the municipality’s resident and seasonal population, exceeds 450 litres per person per day. In other words, current per capita water abstraction is more than 80% above the maximum of 250 litres established by the Hydrological Plan for water concession procedures and for estimating new water demands associated with urban and territorial planning.

Water losses in the distribution network are close to 30%.

The municipality of Es Mercadal has planned tourism developments in the urban areas of Son Parc, Arenal d’en Castell, Punta Grossa, Addaia, Coves Noves, Macaret, Platges de Fornells and Ses Salines.

It is well known that water consumption in tourist areas is generally much higher than that of the resident population.

Given the delicate situation of both the s’Albaida and Migjorn aquifers, and with the two months of greatest tourist pressure still ahead, GOB has written to Es Mercadal Town Council requesting:

• How many single-family homes have been authorised in tourist areas of the municipality over the last two years.
• What improvements have been made to the drinking water distribution system.
• What water-saving measures are planned for the municipality’s tourist areas.